Combination infant bathtub and seat

ABSTRACT

The combination infant bathtub and seat is a combination bathtub and retaining bathtub chair for use by an infant. The combination infant bathtub and seat includes a base, having opposed upper and lower surfaces and at least one sidewall projecting upwardly from a peripheral edge of the upper surface of the base. The at least one sidewall and the base define the bathtub basin for receiving water and the infant. Further, a chair is provided, the chair having a seat and a seat back. In one embodiment, the seat is integrally formed on the upper surface of the base, preferably by one-piece molding, such that the base, the at least one sidewall and the seat are all integrally molded together in one-piece formation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/890,832, filed Oct. 14, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bathtubs for infants and youngchildren, and particularly to a combination infant bathtub and seat.

2. Description of the Related Art

Infant high chairs, car seats, swimming pool chairs and restaurantchairs are relatively well known. Such chairs and seats are adapted fora babies and very young children for use in specific environments toprotect and prevent babies and very young children from falling out ofthe chair, or injuring themselves in some other manner while in thechair. Such seats, however, are typically designed for very specificapplications, such as eating or floating in a swimming pool, and cannotbe adapted for other situations in which the use of such a retainingchair would be desirable. One such situation is within an infantbathtub, where the adult bathing the baby must take great precaution toprevent an accidental slip and fall of the infant within the tub. Thus,it would be desirable to provide the safety and security of an infanthigh chair or the like in a bathing setting.

Thus, a combination infant bathtub and seat solving the aforementionedproblems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The combination infant bathtub and seat is a combination bathtub andretaining bathtub chair for use by an infant. In a first embodiment, thecombination infant bathtub and seat includes a base having opposed upperand lower surfaces and at least one sidewall secured to and projectingupwardly from a peripheral edge of the upper surface of the base. The atleast one sidewall and the base define the bathtub basin for receivingwater and the infant. Further, a chair is provided, the chair having aseat and a seat back. The seat is integrally formed on the upper surfaceof the base, preferably by one-piece molding, such that the base, the atleast one sidewall and the seat are all integrally molded together inone-piece formation.

In an alternative embodiment, the combination infant bathtub and seatsimilarly includes a base, having opposed upper and lower surfaces, andat least one sidewall projecting upwardly from a peripheral edge of theupper surface of the base to define a bathtub. However, a raised centralportion of the base is configured to define a seat adapted forsupporting an infant. An annular retainer is further provided, theretainer having at least one vertical support depending downwardtherefrom. A lower end of the at least one vertical support is adaptedfor releasable mounting within the bathtub, so that the annular retaineris raised with respect to the base and is positioned about the seat.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a combination infantbathtub and seat according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the combination infant bathtub and seataccording to the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of acombination infant bathtub and seat according to the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a partially exploded perspective view of the combinationinfant bathtub and seat of FIG. 3A, showing releasable attachment of aring portion thereof.

FIG. 3C is a side view in section of the combination infant bathtub andseat of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of acombination infant bathtub and seat according to the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a partially exploded perspective view of the combinationinfant bathtub and seat of FIG. 4A, showing releasable attachment of aring portion thereof.

FIG. 4C is a side view in section of the combination infant bathtub andseat of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of still another alternative embodiment ofa combination infant bathtub and seat according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5B is a partially exploded perspective view of the combinationinfant bathtub and seat of FIG. 5A, showing releasable attachment of aring portion thereof.

FIG. 5C is a side view in section of the combination infant bathtub andseat of FIG. 5A.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The combination infant bathtub and seat 10 is a combination bathtub andretaining bathtub chair for use by an infant, such as the exemplaryinfant I in FIG. 1. The combination infant bathtub and seat 10 includesa base 12 having opposed upper and lower surfaces 14, 15, respectively,and at least one sidewall 16 secured to and projecting upwardly from aperipheral edge of the upper surface 14 of the base 12. The at least onesidewall 16 and the base 12 define the bathtub basin for receiving waterand the infant I. The lower surface 15 of base 12 is adapted for restingon a support surface typical for infant bathing, such as a counter, afloor, or the like. The overall bathtub formed by at least one sidewall16 and base 12 may be formed from plastic or similar waterproofmaterials, as is commonly known in the field of infant bathtubs. Itshould be understood that the overall configuration and relativedimensions of the overall bathtub shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown forexemplary purposes only, and that the configuration and relativedimensions of the bathtub may be varied. The bathtub may includefeatures common to conventional infant bathtubs, such as a drain openingand drain plug 40, an integral soap dish 42, or the like.

Further, a retaining chair 18 is provided for releasably holding theinfant I. As is conventionally known, the chair 18 includes a seat 22and a seat back 20. Similar to the bathtub, it should be understood thatthe overall configuration and relative dimensions of the chair 18 shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that theconfiguration and relative dimensions of the chair 18 may be varied,e.g., according to the age and size of the infant I. As best shown inFIG. 2, the seat 22 is integrally formed on the upper surface 14 of thebase 12, preferably by one-piece molding, such that the base 12, the atleast one sidewall 16 and the seat 22 are all integrally molded togetherin one-piece formation. The chair 18 may be formed from plastic or anyother suitable waterproof material that is comfortable and suited foruse by infants.

As best shown in FIG. 2, a central projecting member 26 or leg divideris preferably formed on the front end of seat 22 for proper positioningof the legs of infant I when seated. As shown in FIG. 1, the legs ofinfant I are separated apart by the central projecting member 26 forproper bathing positioning, and also to prevent the infant I fromaccidentally slipping off of the seat 22.

Similarly, armrests 24 are attached to the seat back 20 and projectforward therefrom, forming a substantially C-shaped retainer for theproper positioning and security of the infant I. As shown in FIG. 2, thefront end of chair 18 includes a front retainer 28 for furthersecurement of infant I. Preferably, as shown, one end of front retainer28 is pivotally attached by an hinge 30 or the like to one end 42 of oneof the armrests 24, and the other end of front retainer 28 includes alatching mechanism 32 for releasable engagement with an engaging end 34of the other one of the armrests 24. It should be understood that anysuitable type of infant-proof latch may be used for releasably securingthe front retainer 28 to the engaging end 34 to form a protective,enclosed frame for infant I. As shown in FIG. 1, the projecting member26 may provide lower support for a lower end of front retainer 28. Thelatching infant seat frees the caregiver from the necessity ofsupporting the child in the bathtub, allowing the caregiver to use bothof his or her hands for tasks relating to bathing and grooming the child

It should be understood that the overall configuration and relativedimensions of the front retainer 28 may be varied. As best shown in FIG.2, a bottle B may be removably received within an aperture 36 formedthrough the front retainer 28. The bottle B, the positioning andrelative dimensions of the aperture 36, and the adjoining recesses 38for toys T are all shown for exemplary purposes only. It should beunderstood that the overall configuration and choice of accessories foruse with the infant bathtub and integral seat 10 may be varied.

In the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the combinationinfant bathtub and seat 100 includes a basin defined by a base 112 andat least one sidewall 116. However, instead of the integral raised seat22 of the previous embodiment, the base 112 has a raised central portion123 that is contoured to form a seat for the infant (as best shown inFIG. 3C). As best shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the infant is held in placeduring bathing by ring portion 118, which is releasably supported andheld in place by a plurality of vertical supports 120 extending downwardfrom the ring 118. It should be understood that the overallconfiguration and relative dimensions of the overall bathtub shown inFIGS. 3A-3C are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that theconfiguration and relative dimensions of the bathtub may be varied.Similar to the previous embodiment, the bathtub may include featurescommon to conventional infant bathtubs, such as a drain opening anddrain plug, an integral soap dish, and the like, along with any desiredsupport, such as feet 130, which are mounted to a lower surface 115 ofthe base 112. When the ring portion 118 is removed, as shown in FIG. 3B,multiple basins may be stacked together for transportation and storage.

As best shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the upper surface 114 of the base 112defines a plurality of raised engaging members 124 arrayed peripherallyabout the raised central portion 123. These raised engaging members 124are releasably received within corresponding recesses 122 formed in thelower ends of vertical supports 120. In FIGS. 3A-3C, four verticalsupports 120 and four corresponding engaging members 124 are shown.However, it should be understood that the number of supports 120 andcorresponding engaging members 124 may be varied. Similarly, it shouldbe understood that the overall configuration and relative dimensions ofthe ring portion 118 and the vertical supports 120 may be varied. As inthe previous embodiment, the front vertical support 120 serves toseparate the legs of the infant I and is used to properly position theinfant I on the seat portion 123. Additionally, as in the previousembodiment, the front portion of ring portion 118 may, as analternative, be hinged, allowing the infant I to be releasably securedwithin the ring portion 118. As a further alternative, the rear portionof ring portion 118 may be permanently or integrally fixed within thebasin, while the front, hinged portion is movable.

The alternative combination infant bathtub and seat 200 of FIGS. 4A-4Csimilarly includes a basin defined by a base 212 and at least onesidewall 216. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3C, the base 212includes a raised central portion 223, which is contoured to form a seatfor the infant (as best shown in FIG. 4C). As best shown in FIGS. 4A and413, the infant is held in place during bathing by a ring portion 218.As best shown in FIG. 4B, the ring portion 218 includes a front portion219 and a rear portion 221, which are pivotally joined to one another atone end by a hinge 231 or the like, and which may be releasably latchedto one another at the other end by a latch 233 or the like (similar tothe hinged retainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2).

Similar to the previous embodiment, vertical supports 220 extenddownward from both the front portion 219 and the rear portion 221 of thering portion 218. The lower end 227 of each vertical support 220 iscontoured to form an engaging member which is releasably received withina corresponding recess 225 formed in the upper surface 214 of the base212 (best shown in FIG. 4C). It should be understood that the overallconfiguration and relative dimensions of the overall bathtub shown inFIGS. 4A-4C are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that theconfiguration and relative dimensions of the bathtub may be varied.Similar to the previous embodiments, the bathtub may include featurescommon to conventional infant bathtubs, such as a drain opening anddrain plug, an integral soap dish, and the like, along with any desiredsupport, such as feet 230, which are mounted to the lower surface 215 ofbase 212. When the ring portion 218 is removed, as shown in FIG. 4B,multiple basins may be stacked together for transportation and storage.

In addition to the recesses 224 arrayed peripherally about the raisedcentral portion 223, the rear portion 221 has a plurality of tabs 230formed peripherally thereon for releasable engagement with correspondingslots 232 formed within a rear portion of the sidewall 216 (best shownin FIG. 4B). In FIGS. 4A-4C, four vertical supports 220 and fourcorresponding recesses 224 are shown. However, it should be understoodthat the number of supports 220 and corresponding recesses 224 may bevaried. Similarly, although four tabs 230 are shown for engagement withfour slots or recesses 232, it should be understood that this is shownfor exemplary purposes only. It should be similarly understood that theoverall configuration and relative dimensions of the ring portion 218and the vertical supports 220 may be varied.

In the further alternative embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5C, the combinationinfant bathtub and seat 300 similarly includes a basin defined by a base312 and at least one sidewall 316. Similar to the previous embodiment,the base 312 includes a raised central portion 323, which is contouredto form a seat for the infant (as best shown in FIG. 5C). As best shownin FIGS. 5A and 5B, the infant is held in place during bathing by a ringportion 318, which includes a front portion 319 and a rear portion 321.

In contrast to the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4C, a single vertical support320 extends downward from the front portion 319 of the ring portion 318.The lower end 332 of the vertical support 320 is contoured to form anengaging member that is releasably received within a correspondingrecess 331 formed in the upper surface 314 of the base 312 (best shownin FIG. 5C). As in the previous embodiments, the vertical support 320separates the legs of the infant I when the infant I is sitting in theseat portion 323, thus properly positioning and securing the infant I.It should be understood that the overall configuration and relativedimensions of the overall bathtub shown in FIGS. 5A-5C are shown forexemplary purposes only, and that the configuration and relativedimensions of the bathtub may be varied. Similar to the previousembodiments, the bathtub may include features common to conventionalinfant bathtubs, such as a drain opening and drain plug, an integralsoap dish, and the like, along with any desired support, such as feet330, which are mounted to the lower surface 315 of the base 312.

In addition to the recess 331, a plurality of recesses 336 are formed inan upper portion of the sidewall 316 for releasable engagement withcorresponding engaging members 334, which extend downward from the rearportion 321 of the ring portion 318 (best shown in FIG. 5B). In FIGS.5A-5C, three engaging members 334 and three corresponding recesses 336are shown. However, it should be understood that the number of engagingmembers 334 and corresponding recesses 336 may be varied. It should besimilarly understood that the overall configuration and relativedimensions of the ring portion 318 and the vertical support 320 may bevaried. Additionally, as in the previous embodiments, the front portion319 of the ring portion 318 may, as an alternative, be hinged withrespect to the rear portion 321, allowing the infant I to be releasablysecured within the ring portion 318. When the ring portion 318 isremoved, as shown in FIG. 5B, multiple basins may be stacked togetherfor transportation and storage.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A combination infant bathtub and seat, comprising: a basehaving opposed upper and lower surfaces; at least one sidewallprojecting upward from a peripheral edge of the upper surface of thebase, the at least one sidewall and the base defining a bathtub; and achair having a seat and a seat back, the seat being integrally formed onthe upper surface of the base.
 2. The combination infant bathtub andseat as recited in claim 1, wherein the chair further comprises a pairof armrests.
 3. The combination infant bathtub and seat as recited inclaim 2, further comprising a front retainer secured to the pair ofarmrests for releasably securing an infant within the chair.
 4. Thecombination infant bathtub and seat as recited in claim 3, wherein thefront retainer has a first end and a second end, the first end of thefront retainer being pivotally attached to one of the armrests, thesecond end of the front retainer being releasably attached to the otherarmrest.
 5. The combination infant bathtub and seat as recited in claim4, wherein the front retainer has an aperture dimensioned and configuredfor removably receiving a bottle formed therein.
 6. The combinationinfant bathtub and seat as recited in claim 5, wherein the frontretainer has at least one recess formed in an upper surface thereofadjacent the aperture, the at least one recess being adapted for holdinga toy.
 7. The combination infant bathtub and seat as recited in claim 1,further comprising a central projecting member secured to the seatadjacent a front edge thereof, the central projecting member beingadapted for separating the legs of an infant and securing the infantwithin the chair.
 8. The combination infant bathtub and seat as recitedin claim 1, wherein the at least one sidewall has an upper edge having arecess defining a soap dish is formed therein.
 9. A combination infantbathtub and seat, comprising: a base having opposed upper and lowersurfaces and defining a peripheral edge, the base having a raisedcentral portion defining a seat adapted for supporting an infant; atleast one sidewall projecting upward from the peripheral edge of theupper surface of the base, the at least one sidewall and the basedefining a bathtub; an annular retainer; and at least one verticalsupport extending downward from the annular retainer, the at least onevertical support having a lower end releasably mountable within thebathtub, the annular retainer being raised above the base and positionedabout the seat when the at least one vertical support is mounted withinthe bathtub.
 10. The combination infant bathtub and seat as recited inclaim 9, further comprising at least one raised engaging memberextending upward from a peripheral edge of the raised central portion,the at least one vertical support having a recess formed in the lowerend thereof releasably receiving the at least one raised engagingmember.
 11. The combination infant bathtub and seat as recited in claim10, wherein the at least one vertical support comprises a plurality ofvertical supports.
 12. The combination infant bathtub and seat asrecited in claim 11, wherein the at least one raised engaging membercomprises a plurality of raised engaging members releasably engagingcorresponding ones of the plurality of vertical supports.
 13. Acombination infant bathtub and seat, comprising: a base having opposedupper and lower surfaces and defining a peripheral edge, the base havinga raised central portion defining a seat adapted for supporting aninfant; at least one sidewall projecting upward from the peripheral edgeof the upper surface of the base, the at least one sidewall and the basedefining a bathtub; an annular retainer having front and rear portions,the rear portion being releasably attached to a rear portion of the atleast one sidewall; and a front vertical support extending downward fromthe front portion of the annular retainer, the front vertical supporthaving a lower end releasable mountable within the bathtub, the annularretainer being raised above the base and positioned about the seat whenthe at least one vertical support is mounted within the bathtub.
 14. Thecombination infant bathtub and seat as recited in claim 13, wherein theraised central portion has a peripheral edge having a front recessformed therein releasably receiving the lower end of the front verticalsupport.
 15. The combination infant bathtub and seat as recited in claim13, wherein the at least one sidewall has a rear portion having at leastone slot defined therein, the rear portion of said annular retainerhaving at least one tab extending therefrom, the at least one tabselectively engaging the at least one slot.
 16. The combination infantbathtub and seat as recited in claim 13, wherein the central portion hasa peripheral edge having at least one rear recess formed therein, thecombination infant bathtub and seat further comprising at least one rearvertical support extending downward from the rear portion of the annularretainer, the at least one rear vertical support having a lower endreceived in the at least one rear recess.
 17. The combination infantbathtub and seat as recited in claim 13, wherein the front portion andthe rear portion of said annular retainer each have a first end and asecond end, the first end of the front portion being pivotally attachedto the first end of the rear portion, and the second end of the frontportion being releasably attached to the second end of the rear portion.18. The combination infant bathtub and seat as recited in claim 13,wherein the at least one sidewall has a rear portion having at least onerecess defined therein, the rear portion of said annular retainer havingat least one engaging member extending therefrom, the at least oneengaging member selectively engaging the at least one recess.
 19. Thecombination infant bathtub and seat as recited in claim 18, wherein theat least one engaging member comprises a plurality of engaging membersand the at least one recess comprises a plurality of recesses releasablyreceiving corresponding ones of the plurality of engaging members. 20.The combination infant bathtub and seat as recited in claim 19, whereinthe front portion and the rear portion of said annular retainer eachhave a first end and a second end, the first end of the front portionbeing pivotally attached to the first end of the rear portion, and thesecond end of the front portion being releasably attached to the secondend of the rear portion.